The Cascade Loop begins and ends in regions close to Puget Sound. According to the National Wildlife Federation, "The Puget Sound ecosystem is rich in marine, freshwater, and wetland species, including invertebrates, birds, fish, mammals, underwater plants like eelgrass, and tiny aquatic organisms called plankton." Within this area, there are also many smaller ecosystems supporting diverse specials of invertebrates, mammals and birdlife.
Wildlife Viewing
Look for more than 3,000 species of invertebrates including Geoduck Clams, Oysters, Octopus, Sea Urchins, Dungeness Crab and Sea Stars. Puget Sound Marine mammals include orca, gray and humpback whales, sea lions, sea otters and harbor seals. Your best bet for seeing all of these is to book a trip with Island Adventures.
Virginia Opossum, Shrew (Vagrant and Water), Mole (Coast, Townsend's, American Shrew-Moles), Eastern Cottontail, Nutria, Townsend's Chipmunk, Douglas Squirrel, Northern Flying Squirrel, Pacific Jumping Mouse, Bushy-Tailed Woodrat, Norway Rat, Voles (Townsend's, Long-Tailed, Southern Red-Backed and Western Heather), Porcupine, Mountain Beaver, Bobcat, Mountain Lion, Coyote, Red Fox, Black Bear, Raccoon, Short-Tailed and Long-Tailed Weasel, Mink, American Marten, Northern River Otters, Striped and Western Spotted Skunks, Mule and Black-Tailed Deer
